Atlanta adventures

To kick off Ryan’s Spring Break, we spent two days in Atlanta.  I couldn’t believe we hadn’t been to visit my brother Mark and check out the sights since before I was even pregnant with Miles.  It was high time to make the trip and try a family first – sleeping in a hotel!

I believe the trip was a success, but I’ll let the pictures tell the story.  Yes, the pictures feature Ryan more than Miles.  Miles hardly stopped moving and had absolutely no interest in posing for pictures.  Instead, he demonstrated the reason for the numerous “No Climbing” signs at both the zoo and aquarium…and likely prompted the addition of a few more.

We left Asheville early Monday morning and drove straight to the zoo.  Mark met up with us there for a gorgeous afternoon of exploring the surprising variety of animals.  They even have pandas!

 

  Helping Uncle Mark pick up our tickets

 

 

A meerkat

 

 

 

“Let’s see what’s next!”

 

Ryan’s favorites were the snakes at the Reptile House.  Mark patiently held Ryan up to each and every window, naming the snake and what it ate.

 

 

From the zoo, we drove to Mark’s house.  Last time we saw it, the house was empty and Mark was about to close on it.  It was great to finally see all the work he had done to it!  We ate a pizza dinner before leaving to check into our hotel.  The night went better than expected.  Once the boys finally fell asleep around 9 p.m. (well past their bedtime), they stayed asleep.  Whew!

 

The boys loved riding the glass elevator.  We took it all the way to the top floor and back several times.

 

If only this picture could truly capture the energy!  Trust me – it was high!

 

The next morning, we headed to the Atlanta Aquarium.  I believe I’ve said it before, but this aquarium is incredible and more than worth making an effort to visit.

 

Touching a stingray

 

Dolphins are a relatively new addition to the aquarium.

 

 

 

 

 

The whale shark made a serious impression on Ryan (and me, too!).

 

This was Miles’ preferred viewing position. 
(Taking photos in an aquarium is a bit of a lighting nightmare!)

 

These viewing tubes at the penguin exhibit were a great idea!

 

 

Touching a starfish

 

Miles preferred hands-off to hands-on.

Ryan is holding his new whale shark.  In the gift shop, Uncle Mark saw straight into a little boy's heart and couldn’t resist giving him something extra special.  Ryan was so happy!

 

After lunch with Mark at a nearby restaurant, it was time to head home.

 

 

Ryan wanted his whale shark tucked in beside him.

 

And where was precious Abby during our little adventure?  We realized early on that this trip would be nothing but misery for her.  It would mean hours in her car seat, choppy catnaps, and irregular mealtimes.  Thankfully, Grammy and Papa were happy to spend two days with their granddaughter.

 

 

 

She was spoiled rotten!  We thought that might happen.